MPs advocate for bold PBS reforms, but will we see a meaningful change?

Pharma News: Australia’s healthcare system stands at a pivotal juncture, facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities. At Medicines Australia’s PharmAus meeting in Parliament House yesterday, the country’s pharmaceutical sector, along with politicians, patient advocacy groups and healthcare experts, converged to chart a new course to support bold Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) reforms.

A panel discussion was moderated by Virginia Haussegger AM and the panellists included Dr Mike Freelander MP, Member for Macarthur and a respected paediatrician, Dr Gordon Reid MP, Member for Robertson and an emergency department clinician, Dr David Gillespie MP, Member for Lyne, Dr Anne Webster MP, Member for Mallee, and Jerome Laxale MP, Member for Bennelong.

Dr Freelander MP, one of the authors of The New Frontier report unveiled in November 2021, emphasised the need for a holistic approach to healthcare in the 21st century. His perspective echoed the sentiment that to maintain its position as a global leader in healthcare, Australia must adapt and evolve.

“We are now in the 21st century, and our systems need to change if we are to keep pace as one of the leading health systems in the world,” Dr Freelander stated.

His insights extended to the complexities of the healthcare landscape, highlighting issues such as access to clinical trials and tax incentives for research. He argued that a comprehensive approach is essential, noting the 31 recommendations presented in the report.

“I don’t think I could pick one particular recommendation as more important than the others. They are all extremely important,” Dr Freelander stressed.

Dr Reid MP, with his experience in emergency medicine, shed light on the critical issue of timely access to healthcare services and health technologies. He emphasised the need for proactive health policies rather than reactionary approaches.

“We need to be more proactive in health policy rather than reactionary. When we are reactionary is when you’re chasing your tail and things can spiral out of control. It’s timely, equitable and affordable access to pharmaceuticals and medical technology that patients need,” Dr Reid asserted.

Dr Gillespie MP brought attention to a critical facet of the discussion, addressing the former Health Minister Greg Hunt’s emphasis on PBS savings facilitating the introduction of new medicines while retiring older ones. However, a pivotal concern raised was that not all fiscal inflows were being reinvested back into the health portfolio.

Representing regional constituents, Dr Webster MP drew attention to the shortage of healthcare professionals in remote areas, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced training opportunities in regional settings and expedited approval processes for the PBS.

“The isolation in our regional communities is horrific,” Dr Webster lamented. “The fact that regional people – a third of Australia – cannot access timely medicines, cannot access a doctor, cannot access a large range of treatments, is an appalling state of affairs that really needs to be rectified.”

Commenting on industry engagement with MPs, Mr Laxale underscored the importance of the industry presenting solutions rather than merely identifying problems. He advocated for clear and concise communication of healthcare issues and solutions to enable informed decision-making.

Mr Laxale remarked “Our most successful interactions with the Minister have centred around problems that affect the broader sector, rather than serving the interests of a single organisation or company. Proposing solutions that benefit the entire sector has yielded positive outcomes.”

He added “Reform can be challenging, but it is often the cumulative effect of small changes that leads to significant transformation.”

Addressing an audience question of why the PBS is seen as a ‘cost’ to the health system rather than an ‘investment’, Dr Freelander stated “I think exactly the opposite. It is an investment. A healthy society is being economically and socially successful. One of the issues with the PBS is its limited consideration of the broader health economic benefits offered by new treatments.”

As the HTA Review report is scheduled for release later this year, there is growing curiosity about whether the government’s response to the report will align with the campaigning agenda prior to the next election. The pivotal question remains: can we anticipate substantial changes to be put into action?

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